Avoid Peer Pressure As a Teen Christian

Avoiding peer pressure is very challenging. Many Christians, especially teens, experience pressure which can lead to giving up some of their values. Read this article and it can help you to avoid negative peer pressure in our daily life.

Steps

  1. Find out exactly what you believe in.
  2. Stand up for what you believe in. When you witness, not everybody will listen, and sometimes they might even laugh. That's okay because at least you are trying and God sees that. Don't let anyone or anything change your mind, and don't let them make you doubt your beliefs. However, do not force your religion upon others. Doing so will only attract enemies.
  3. Read your Bible and pray every day. Reading scripture is a good way to become closer to God because it offers wisdom and is like the "How To" of being a Christian. Some people recommend a Teen Study Bible, which includes tips, advice, and practical interpretations of some verses. Others recommend a normal Bible, and to read the aforementioned Bible from cover to cover. Prayer and Bible study will bring you closer to God.
  4. Be confident in your faith in Christ. You can do all things through Christ; he will strengthen you.
  5. When praying or asking for help from the Lord, don't just casually pray. The Bible says we must, "Cry unto the Lord with all our might." If you don't want it that badly, stay on your knees until you do or meditate on it and think of whether you even truly want it.

    James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him." Use your name---"If I(your name) lack wisdom let me(your name) ask of God who gives to all men liberally, and does not reprove those who ask [yes, I paraphrased "upbraideth not", you can keep it if you wish], and it will be given to me." It's called claiming scripture in prayer, and when you say to God "You promised this, and I've done what You said I needed to to get it..." He gives-God never, ever, goes back on His promises. He said, "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and he will answer, seek him and you will find him."
  6. Always have a prayer in your heart. This means to pray inside your head to God. This will be a very hard thing to do at the beginning, but when you get going it will be a HUGE blessing in your life. You will gain a MUCH closer relationship with God and will feel his love much more.
  7. Doing what everyone else does might look fun, but if you know it’s wrong to do, try to have the strength to say no. God gave his only begotten son to die for us! When you do what's right, God will know because he knows the intent of your heart.
  8. Be friends with other Christian people. If you are surrounded by others trying to do the right thing it will become much easier. There is strength in numbers. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there shall I be." (Matthew 18:20) Luckily, the majority of the Western world is Christian, of various denominations.
  9. Don't associate with people who swear all the time, drink/do drugs, have dirty minds, etc. It is very difficult to resist the constant temptations of people who constantly sin if you're always hanging out with them. That being said, if these people are real friends and you ask them to tone it down slightly because they're making you uncomfortable, then it is possible that they might. On the other hand, if these people laugh to the idea of doing that, then maybe it's time to find some new friends.
  10. Avoid situations that may cause you to give into peer pressure. For example, if someone asks you to smoke/drink think about what it will do to your body and think about whether God would approve of this. Repeat to yourself that your body is the temple of God. Say NO. Ask the Lord to continue to bless you with strength to resist temptations.
  11. Have courage! You don't have to be spineless to be cool. Be confident in what you know to be true and remember what you want to avoid.

Tips

  • Being a Christian is not always easy, but God can help you and he knows what you're going through. Living for God is worth the price in the end!
  • Know what you truly believe and stick by it.
  • Serve others. This is God's work. Helping others in good and honorable ways will help not only you, but your community and the people you're helping as well. You can assist a shelter, church group, community outreach, organizing bible study groups, reading to elderly, etc. This will help you realize other things you can do instead of being drawn into sin.
  • Don't be afraid to let your friends know that your beliefs and conscience come before anything else in your life.
  • Be proud of what you have accomplished; many people can't get enough courage to set a course for their own lives and stay on it, avoiding the pressures of others.
  • Do not be harsh when you speak, just be firm and soon your friends will begin to respect your decisions.
  • Always speak with confidence! Any signs of weakness and the person pressuring will continue until they have won the battle!
  • The Walk-Away rule. Analyze your relationship with this person. If you know you cannot walk away from the relationship at any time, break it. That's right. Break it. Yes, it'll hurt, but walking away is the last line of defense against anyone. If you cannot do it, you've lost your last line of defense. The only reason why this would not apply is if you absolutely trust a person, and you know it isn't just hormones making you trust that person.
  • Peer pressure is testing your will to refuse something you don't want to do. A true friend will take no for an answer and not try to make you do something you don't want to do.
  • When you're unsure what to do, or need help, don't be afraid to go to a pastor, a youth group pastor/leader, Christian friends, or a trusted Christian adult for guidance.
  • Try to make friends who are also Christians or who are in your youth group. When you feel tempted, go to them and confide how you feel. They will support you, help you, and may even give you tips.
  • Follow all the standards in this article even though it is very hard to do. If you only follow it partway God will only give you part of his blessings.
  • Avoid big parties with a lot of people you don't know.
  • Hang out with close friends.
  • Read examples of other young people who have been helped by Jesus.

Warnings

  • This article doesn't guarantee you're immune from peer pressure or temptation, and you might make a mistake and sin. That's why God is loving: He forgives our mistakes. But that doesn't mean go out and commit sin.
  • If you don't know/trust this person, just leave. Nobody can pressure you to do things you don't like if you aren't even there!!
  • Watch out for those friends who are bent on doing the wrong stuff and are controlling. You are better off without them at all.
  • Some people may react differently, don't step down though even if they call you a baby!
  • If they are into things you feel uncomfortable with, steer clear of them
  • Learn. Learn about the myths people use to pressure others into harmful behavior.
  • Find out what their morals are before you hang out with them.
  • There are a lot of difficult things to do in this article and many of you shall feel like giving up or only do part of them. If you do all of these things, you'll start to become a God-abiding Christian. You will also have a chance to receive a fulfilling blessing and reward in heaven.

Things You'll Need

  • A Bible
  • Church is necessary, it's a very good way to find a Christian community who will help

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